Ari Fleischer: Helen Thomas’ Apology Is ‘Too Little, Too Late’

Last week news broke of White House press icon Helen Thomas made headlines by claiming “Jews should go back to Germany.” While she has since apologized for her statement, there is increasing sentiment that she should receive much larger censure, or lose her job altogether for, what’s deemed by many, as terribly insensitive words. Last night, former Press Secretary for the Bush administration Ari Fleischer joined a growing chorus of those claiming her apology is not enough.

Fleischer was interviewed by Don Lemon during an appearance on CNN yesterday and did not hold back in his critique of Thomas’ comments, though he very carefully avoided any specific call for action, leaving that decision to her employer, Hearst.

A partial transcript from the interview:

Lemon: She did apologize. Here’s what she says — “I deeply regret my comments I made last week regarding the Palestinians and they do not reflect my heart felt relief that peace will come to the Middle East only when the parties realize mutual respect and tolerance, May that day come soon.” Apparently, you’re not satisfied with that. and apparently the agent and the co-author of her book are not satisfied with that as well.

Fleischer: No and I think it tells you that when a group of that’s in the business of making money, a speaking agency, says from a moral point of view, they no longer want to represent her. That’s a powerful statement, and I salute them for saying that. But i think the apology is too little, too late. How can somebody who expresses such hatred in their heart right away call for tolerance and acceptance. That’s hypocritical. That’s what you when you’re caught and you want to get out of being caught.

Lemon: Are you concerned about any all nation from people that may not agree with you?

Fleischer: I already got hate mail sent to me that’s anti-Jewish. I’m Jewish and that’s one of the reasons that I take offense. I have relatives who live in Israel and she’s telling my relatives to get out. But it goes beyond that. I’m American and as Americans we need to stand together to say to people who practice hate that Helen’s words were hateful. That this is not going to be accepted. And that’s why it’s s important to hear from Hearst. What will Hearst do? Are they going to stand by just this simple apology? Or will they actually take action as we all know would be done if it was said about any other ethnic group.